Fear

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Nehemiah 6:9, 14, & 19
9For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands...14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid...19Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Nehemiah 5:9 & 15
9So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?...15The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

The only fear Nehemiah had, was the fear of God. Although there were many threatening things happening all around him, he chose to only fear the Lord. God doesn't want us to live in fear of man. He doesn't want us to be afraid of what may happen to us in this world. What God does want, is for us to cling to Him. If I only fear the Lord, I have nothing else to fear. If I respect His word and what He thinks of my sin, then I'll have nothing else to be afraid of because His righteousness will protect me and cover me.

Are there things that I am afraid of? Well, I guess I do worry a lot. I think worry comes from fear. I am afraid of cockroaches, my uncle, walking alone at night, & getting mugged. I am afraid of being displeasing to people. I am afraid of being unknown. I am afraid of being ugly. I'm afraid of being a "failure". So what do I do about all these fears? I know that there are many more that I can't even list here. But, I guess the truth is, I can only overcome these fears by fearing God above all this and also understanding His perfect love for me. God loves me. His Word says it over and over again. Jesus is the biggest example of God's love for me! If I ever forget that God loves me, then of course I will want to hide in fear from the world. But God tells me to be bold and courageous. Where do I get that courage from? Where did Nehemiah get that courage from? It's from the fear of the Lord. God is bigger than all the things the world can throw at me. Anything that life deals me, I can handle because my God is to be feared and He loves me. He will protect me and provide for me. He will never forsake me. Of course if I run out from His covering, I'll have much to be afraid of in this life. But God promises that if I stick close to Him, I'll have His covering always.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for Your word this morning. I thank You for Your faithfulness. I thank You that You are an awesome God. You are almighty and worthy of my utmost respect. I fear You, Lord. I fear You alone. All other things in my life are so small compared to Your awesomeness. I love You. Thank You for loving me, God. May Your perfect love drive out all fear. I pray for Your will to be done today and always. In Jesus Christ's perfect and fearsome name I pray, Amen.